Honoring Mothers As Agents Of Peace

A Mother's Day celebration, honoring the role of women in promoting peace, will take place on Sunday, May 11 from 2-4 pm at the India Garden (by the Mahatma Gandhi statue) on Martin Luther King Boulevard.

It's well known that author Julia Ward Howe wrote "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" in 1862 during the Civil War. What's not so well known is that she also wrote the "Mother's Day Proclamation" in 1870 as part of a peace campaign against wars. Throughout history, women have been forceful advocates for peace. Mothers have been teaching all of us to live peacefully and lovingly.

Yvonne Pointer, nationally known Cleveland anti-violence activist and member of the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame, will be the featured speaker at the event. Ms. Pointer is the founder of Positive Plus, a support group for women who have lost children through violence, and co-founder of PACK, Parents Against Child Killing. She was recognized as one of the thousand points of light by President George H.W. Bush for her service to the community. She is also the author of three books dealing with violence and redemption.

Free refreshments will be available. Attendees can also enjoy creative fun and family activities, such as creating a large banner honoring mothers, and making origami cranes (a Japanese symbol of peace). They will also receive a free booklet: "What Mothers Taught Us about Peace'".

The event is sponsored by Cleveland Peace Action, Federation of India Community Associations, and the National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund -NE Ohio Chapter. Free parking is available near the site of the India Garden, along Martin Luther King Boulevard. For more information, please call 216-383-1684.

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